BILL NUMBER: S8808

SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring the commis-
sioner of education to develop and implement an expanded curriculum or
instruction on the history of the labor movement in the United States

 
PURPOSE:

This bill instructs the State Education Commissioner to develop and
implement an expanded set of instructional or curriculum materials on
the history of the labor movement in the United States.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Adds a new section 804-e to the education law that instructs
the commissioner, in consultation with any appropriate agency, to estab-
lish and/or revise the curriculum or instruction for school districts in
the history of both organized and unorganized labor in the United
              

States, expanding and current curriculum or instruction to include a
more complete picture of labor history and information on what the labor
movement looks like currently. The content of such curriculum or
instruction shall be age appropriate and shall be developed according to
the needs and abilities of pupils at successive grade levels in order to
provide information and understanding of the history of both organized
and unorganized labor in the United States.

Schools may include these materials as a component of its social studies
curriculum or any other way the school deems appropriate.

Section 2. Sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The history of labor in the United States is the history of the country
itself; both organized and unorganized. Labor provides a clear picture
of the struggles that have, and continue, to dominate the political and
social landscape of the United States. A greater understanding of the
conflicts that have led to union formation, the rights these organiza-
tions fought for, the workers who have been marginalized due to a dimin-
ished capacity to fight for,theiprights-because of racial, gender,
ethnic discrimination-will provide a more nuanced take on labor history
that isn't taught in schools. Currently, only two states have require
that labor history be put into state model education standards: Wiscon-
sin and Connecticut. Other states like California, New York, Massachu-
setts have implemented labor history within learning frameworks to vary-
ing degrees.

This bill seeks to create a more nuanced and complex reading of labor
history, especially New York labor history, and how its lessons and
conflicts mirror the struggles faced by workers presently. New York has
a particular rich history of labor activism. In 1827, the first all-wom-
en strike in US history occurred in New York where the United Tailoress-
es demanded better wages and workplace conditions. Just two years
before, the United Tailoresses of New York established a national prece-
dent by organizing into the first women union. The Triangle Shirtwaist
Fire was a particular significant moment in New York history that
brought national attention to the deplorable conditions endured by
countless numbers of workers and led to the development of laws that
ensured increased benefits and protections in the workplace. Painful
moments in state history should also be brought to attention such as the
1863 New York City Draft Riots where over a thousand dock workers rioted
against the Civil War Draft, specifically targeting black workers and
citizens, leaving between 100 to 1000 people dead. To understand the
current plight of workers in this country is to look back in time to the
rights and protections workers fought for in the past.

 
FISCAL IMPACT:

To be determined.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2020: A 10810 (Buttenschon)

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect July 1, 2021 and shall apply to school years
commencing on or after such date.